Electrical switches with pivotal actuator detent means

ABSTRACT

An electrical switch includes a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slide mounted for sliding movements on the body and a movable contact movable by the slider and co-operable with the fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch. The switch further includes a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider and about an axis generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, the pivot piece and the slider being coupled so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider. A resilient member is carried by the body and co-operates with the pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position. The resilient member includes a pair of legs which are resiliently urged into engagement with the pivot piece, the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in the predetermined angular position.

United States Patent Wilkinson [54] ELECTRICAL SWITCHES WITH PIVOTAL ACTUATOR DETENT MEANS [72] Inventor: Norman Wilkinson, Barrowford near Nelson, England [73] Assignee: Joseph Lucas (Industries) Limited, Birmingham, England 22 Filed: Mar.11,l970

211 Appl.No.: 18,631

[ Apr. 25, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Holman & Stem [5 7] ABSTRACT An electrical switch includes a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slide mounted for sliding movements on the body and a movable contact movable by the slider and cooperable with the fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch. The switch further includes a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider and about an axis generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, the pivot piece and the slider being coupled so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider. A resilient member is carried by the body and co-operates with the pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position. The resilient member includes a pair of legs which are resiliently urged into engagement with the pivot piece, the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in the predetermined angular position.

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AWQQNEYS This invention relates to electrical switches.

A switch according to the invention includes a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slider mounted for sliding movements on the body, a movable contact movable by said slider and co-operable with said fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch, a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider and about an axis generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, means coupling said pivot piece and said slider so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider and a resilient member-carried by the body and co-operating with said pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position, said resilient member including a pair of legs which are resiliently urged in opposite directions into engagement with the pivot piece, and the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in said predetermined angular position.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a direction indicator switch,

FIG. 2 is an inverted plan view of the detent mechanism of the switch in FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic sectional views respectively of a contact arrangement of the switch.

Referring to the drawings, the direction indicator switch includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 which is adapted to be secured to the stationary part of the steering column of a road vehicle, and which carries a striker collar (not shown) which in use is keyed to the movable part of the steering column so as to rotate therewith. Mounted for angular movement on the body 11 about an axis generally parallel with the axis of the striker collar is a moulded synthetic resin rotor 12. The rotor 12 carries a pair of resilient cancelling arms which extend towards the striker collar, and which are secured to the rotor 12 as a snap fit. The rotor 12 and the body 11 carry cooperating contacts for controlling the direction indicator cir cuits of the road vehicle in which the switch is utilized, and detent means is provided for maintaining the rotor 12 in any one of three angularly spaced positions relative to the body. The rotor has a first, central stable position wherein none of the direction indicator circuits of the vehicle are completed, a second stable position achieved by moving the rotor angularly in one direction relative to the body, and in which the direction indicator circuit of the indicator lights on one side of the vehicle is operated, and a third stable position achieved by moving the rotor 12 relative to the body 11 in the opposite angular direction from the first position, and in which the circuit controlling the direction indicator lamps on the opposite side of the vehicle is operated. In the second and third positions of the rotor 12 relative to the body 11, one or other of the cancelling arms extends into the path of movement of a striker on the striker collar, so that the striker co-operates with the appropriate cancelling arm during return movement of the steering wheel to the straight ahead position after a turn has been negotiated, to cancel the direction indicator function of the switch by returning the rotor 12 to its first, central stable position.

The direction indicator switch also includes a lane change function. The lane change function is a facility whereby the rotor 12 can be moved to an unstable position intermediate the first position and the second or third positions and wherein the indicator circuits associated with the second or third positions are energized. The rotor 12 is maintained in either of these intermediate positions manually, and upon release of the rotor 12, the rotor 12 is returned, by resilient means, to its central position. The intermediate positions are defined by a spring loaded ball carried by the rotor 12, which engages one or other of a pair of angularly spaced ramp surfaces on the body 11. Thus, when an intermediate position is reached, resistance to further movement of the rotor 12 angularly is felt as the spring pressed ball engages the respective ramp surface. In order to reach the second or third stable position, this resistance must be overcome, and in so doing the spring pressed ball is caused to ride over the respective ramp surface.

Pivotally mounted on an extension 13 of the rotor 12 is a pivot piece 14 which is also moulded in synthetic resin materi- 0 al. The pivot piece 14 carries an operating lever 15 which projects outwardly from the switch, and by means of which the pivot piece 14 can be pivoted relative to the rotor 12, and the rotor 12 can be pivoted relative to the body 11. The pivot piece 14 is mounted on the extension 13 for pivotal movement relative to the rotor 12 about an axis at right angles to, and intercepting the axis of rotation of the rotor 12. The rotor 12 is hollow, and integral with the pivot piece 14 and extending downwardly through the rotor 12 and into a recess 16 in the body 11 is a spigot 17. Secured to the rotor 12 is a detent member 18 in the form of a U-shaped synthetic resin moulding. The limbs 18a, 18b of the detent member 18 are parallel, and the base 18c of the detent member, interconnecting the limbs 18a, 18b, is rigidly secured to the rotor 12. The limbs 18a, 18b of the detent member 18 extend on opposite sides of the spigot 17, and the portion of the spigot 17 which passes between the limbs 18a, 18b is provided with a pair of oppositely directed ribs 17a, 17b of triangular cross-section, which engage the inwardly presented surfaces of the limbs 18a, 18b respectively. The inwardly presented surfaces of the limbs 18a, 18b are each formed with a pair of recesses 19a, 21a, 19b, 21b respectively, which are spaced apart by respective ribs, and which are engageable by the ribs 17a, 17b of the spigot 17. Moreover, between the recesses and the portion 18c of the member 18, the inner surfaces of the limbs 18a, 18b are formed with ramps 22a, 22b, respectively. The resilience of the member 18 is such that the limbs 18a, 18b thereof are urged towards one another, and so grip the spigot 17. The inherent resilience of the member 18 is augmented by a U- shaped metal spring 23, the limbs of which engage the outer surfaces of the limbs 18a, 18b.

Engaged in the recess 16, for longitudinal sliding movements relative to the body 11, is a moulded synthetic resin slider 24 which is engaged by the free end of the spigot 17, so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece 14 causes sliding movements of the slider 24 relative to the body 11. The slider 24 is trapped in the body 11 by means of a board 25 which closes the recess 16. The board 25 is formed in insulating material, and carries two leaf spring contacts 31, 32 which are secured at one end to the board 25. The leaf spring contacts extend parallel with one another and are generally aligned with the direction of movement of the slider 24. The face of the slider 24 which engages the board 25 is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending parallel cam tracks 33, 34 which are engaged by respective steel balls 35, 36 trapped in respective passages in the board 25. The balls 35, 36 engage the leaf spring contacts 31, 32 respectively, and are urged by their leaf spring contacts into engagement with the respective cam tracks 35, 36 on the slider 24. Supported by the board 25, in the path of movement of the leaf spring contact 31, and on opposite sides thereof, is a pair of fixed contacts 37, 38, and also supported by the board 25 and in the path of movement of the leaf spring contact 32 is a further fixed contact 39.

The fixed and movable contacts controlled by the pivot piece 14 through the slider 24 are intended to control the operation of the headlamps of the vehicle equipped with the switch. In such an arrangement, the leaf spring contact 31 is electrically connected in the main beam circuit of the headlamps of the vehicle the leaf spring contact 32 is connected in the dipped beam circuit of the road vehicle, and the fixed contacts 37, 38, 39, are connected through a main on/off lighting switch to a source of electrical supply. In a first position of the pivot piece 14, the ribs 17a, 17b of the spigot 17 are engaged with the depressions 19a, 19b in the limbs of the detent member 18. The cam tracks 33, 34 on the slider 24 are such that when the slider 24 is in a position corresponding to the first position of the pivot piece 14, then the leaf spring contact 31 is engaged with its associated fixed contact 37, while the leaf spring contact 32 is maintained out of engagement with its respective fixed contact 39 by its own resilience. Thus, in the first position of the pivot piece 14, assuming that the on/off lighting switch is in its on position, then the main beam circuit of the headlamps of the vehicle will be completed. In order to energize the dipped beam circuit of the headlamps of the vehicle, the pivot piece 14 is pivoted relative to the rotor 12 to a position wherein the ribs 17a, 17b of the spigot 17 are engaged in the depressions 21a, 21 b in the limbs of the detent member 18. During movement of the spigot 17 relative to the detent member 18 the limbs of the detent member 18 are flexed outwardly to permit the ribs on the spigot 17 to ride over the ribs between the depressions in the limbs of the detent member 18, so that when the spigot 17 registers with the depressions 21a, 21b the limbs of the detent member flex towards one another to maintain the spigot 17 engaged in the depressions 21a, 21b. The movement of the pivot piece 14 relative to the rotor 12 causes sliding movement of the slider 24, with consequential movement of the cam tracks of the slider 24 relative to the balls engaged in the passages in the board 25. The cam tracks 33, 34 on the slider 24 are such that in the second position of the pivot piece 14 the ball 35 associated with the leaf spring contact 31 moves the leaf spring contact 31 out of engagement with the contact 37, but does not move it sufficiently far to engage the contact 38 while the ball 36 associated with the leaf spring contact 32 moves the leaf spring contact 32 into engagement with its associated fixed contact 39. Thus, in the second position of the pivot piece 14, the dipped beam circuit of the headlamps of the vehicle is completed through the leaf spring contact 32, no circuit being made through the leaf spring contact 31 since the leaf spring contact 31 is not engaged with either of its associated fixed contacts.

In order to flash the main beams of the headlamps of the vehicle, the pivot piece 14 is moved beyond its second position, so that the spigot 17 rides out of the recesses 21a, 21b, and the ribs 17a, 17b of the spigot 17 engage the ramps 22a, 22b. Movement of the pivot piece 14 causes the limbs of the detent member to be flexed apart as the spigot 17 rides on the ramps 22a, 22b so that upon release of the pivot piece 14 the resilience of the limbs of the detent member will return the pivot piece 14 back to its second position. The cam tracks 33, 34 on the slider 24 are such that during such movement of the pivot piece 14 the leaf spring contact 32 remains engaged with its associated fixed contact 39 so that the dipped beam circuit of the headlamps of the vehicle is unaffected, while the leaf spring contact 31 is moved by its associated ball 35 into engagement with the fixed contact 38. Thus, while the pivot piece 14 is held against the action of the detent member 18, then the main beam circuit of the vehicle will remain energized in addition to the dipped beam circuit of the vehicle.

However, upon release of the pivot piece 14 the slider 24 will be returned to its second position thereby breaking the main beam circuit of the headlamps.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical switch, including a body, a-fixed contact carried by the body, a slider mounted for sliding movement on the body, a movable contact movable by said slider and cooperable with the fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch, a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider, and generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, means coupling said pivot piece and said slider so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider and a resilient member carried by the body and co-operating with said pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position the resilient member including a pair of legs which are resiliently urged in opposite directions into engagement with the pivot piece and having associated therewith a spring member which aids the inherent resilience of said resilient member in urging the legs in opposite directions, and the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in said predetermined angular position.

2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said legs are urged towards one another and said pivot piece extends between said legs.

3. An electrical switch including a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slider mounted for sliding movement on the body, a movable contact movable by said slider and cooperable with said fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch, a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider and generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, means coupling said pivot piece and said slider so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider, and a resilient member carried by the body and co-operating with said pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetennined angular position, said resilient member including a pair of legs which are resiliently urged in opposite directions into engagement with the pivot piece and the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in said predetermined angular position, the surfaces of the legs which engage the pivot piece further including respective ramp surfaces which are engageable by said portion of the pivot piece, said portion riding on said ramp surfaces during certain pivotal movement of said pivot piece and flexing said legs so that when the pivot piece is released the legs return to their original positions thereby returning the pivot piece to its original position. 

1. An electrical switch, including a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slider mounted for sliding movement on the body, a movable contact movable by said slider and co-operable with the fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch, a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movement of the slider, and generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, means coupling said pivot piece and said slider so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider and a resilient member carried by the body and co-operating with said pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position, the resilient member including a pair of legs which are resiliently urged in opposite directions into engagement with the pivot piece and having associated therewith a spring member which aids the inherent resilience of said resilient member in urging the legs in opposite directions, and the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in said predetermined angular position.
 2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said legs are urged towards one another and said pivot piece extends between said legs.
 3. An electrical switch including a body, a fixed contact carried by the body, a slider mounted for sliding movement on the body, a movable contact movable by said slider and co-operable with said fixed contact to complete electrical circuits through the switch, a pivot piece mounted for pivotal movement on the body about an axis generally parallel with the plane of movemEnt of the slider and generally at right angles to the direction of movement of the slider, means coupling said pivot piece and said slider so that pivotal movement of the pivot piece causes sliding movement of the slider, and a resilient member carried by the body and co-operating with said pivot piece to define detent means for locating the pivot piece in a predetermined angular position, said resilient member including a pair of legs which are resiliently urged in opposite directions into engagement with the pivot piece and the surface of each of the legs which engages the pivot piece being formed with a depression in which a portion of the pivot piece is engaged when the pivot piece is in said predetermined angular position, the surfaces of the legs which engage the pivot piece further including respective ramp surfaces which are engageable by said portion of the pivot piece, said portion riding on said ramp surfaces during certain pivotal movement of said pivot piece and flexing said legs so that when the pivot piece is released the legs return to their original positions thereby returning the pivot piece to its original position. 